Auburn football fans had no idea if they would ever see Andrew “Eku” Leota back in an Auburn helmet after a season ending pectoral injury back in October. On Saturday, he will suit up one last time on the American Team at the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. The Asheville native is looking to increase his draft stock and enjoy one last college football game after his season was cut short. He is determined to show the NFL coaches and scouts that he is healthy and ready for the next step in his career.
Leota started his career at Northwestern University back in 2018. While he didn’t see much action in his first season, he recorded 25 total tackles, 10 tackles-for-loss, 6.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in his final two years as a Wildcat.
The Northwestern graduate knew one thing: he wanted to play in the SEC. Leota committed to Auburn University as a graduate transfer before ever stepping foot on the campus, a month after former Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin was hired. One Zoom call with a few Auburn coaches was all he needed to know that The Plains were going to be his new home.
“Auburn has the hardest schedule every year, so you can’t hide it when you’re playing for Auburn,” said Leota.
Leota says Auburn is a “special place,” a common phrase that Auburn football fans and Auburn football players alike use to describe the university.
Leota had no trouble fitting in at Auburn and started in every single game until his pectoral injury during the first half of the LSU Auburn game back in October. While his injury kept him out of big rivalry games like the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry and the Iron Bowl during the 2022 season, he recorded 17 total tackles, five tackles-for-loss, and two sacks; an impressive feat considering he played in five games. In the 2021 season, Leota recorded 23 total tackles, 10 tackles-for-loss, and an astounding seven sacks, which was second highest on the team. His absence was painstakingly visible to Auburn fans as many close losses kept the team from being bowl eligible.
Leota has some familiar faces joining him at this year’s Senior Bowl; Auburn teammate, Derick Hall, and former Northwestern teammates, Adetominwa Adebawore and Evan Hull. Tune into the NFL Network Saturday, February 4 at 1:30 p.m. CST for the Senior Bowl showcasing the best senior college football players from all over the country.